Dell Windows Vista Laptop

By Katrina Matterhorn

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Windows Vista is an operating system developed by Microsoft that is the successor of Windows XP and the predecessor to Windows 7. One of Vista's security features is that it requires a password to enter a specific user's desktop. If you have forgotten your password and are locked out of your Dell computer, there are ways to unlock it.

Turn on the Dell computer by pressing the power button if it is off or clicking "Start" and selecting Restart on the Windows Vista main menu bar.

Press "F8" once the computer is turned on, right before the Vista logo appears. (Timing this right can be tricky and may take a few tries.) This will open up the main menu options.

Click "Safe Mode" and press "Enter." You can then enter as the administrator without needing a password.

Click "Administrator" to log in as the administrator. You can now reset the password.

Click "Start" and select Control Panel followed by User Accounts. Locate your account name and right-click it. Select Remove User Password. Click "Apply" and then click "OK" to save this setting.

Reboot the Dell computer. You can now create a new password.

Dell Windows Vista Laptop
Since Dell set foot in laptops field in 1996, its quick development is a miracle in IT industry. Now the sales volume of  Dell laptops is ranking in number one in the world. So many people use Dell laptops, what if they forget Windows password? As users use Vista as OS, then how to reset Dell Windows Vista password? That is what we want to discuss below.


I don't want to say any other ways anymore, because when we meet a problem, fix it quickly and effectively is what we want, but not to know how many ways can be used to solve it. Of course, it is not bad to learn other ways, but solve the problem first and learn it slowly, OK?

As for Dell Windows Vista password reset, the most efficient way is using Windows Login Recovery. If you are in an emergency to reset password, it is definitely your wisest choice. Firstly, it is fast to reset password. Keep guessing and never give up and give in. well, it is a good spirit. But maybe you can recover Dell Windows vista password several times with the time you used for guess. Using Windows Login Recovery only takes you a few minutes and you don't have to log on Windows of the locked computer. Besides, it is versatile in Windows password reset. Although we only introduce Dell laptops and Vista OS in this passage, actually, the software can reset password for all brands of laptops and all kinds of Windows operating systems. So, if you really forget Dell Windows vista password someday, chooses the software and it surely can help you.

OK, following let's me tell you how to use it. Oh, right, an accessible computer and a blank CD/DVD (or USB drive is also OK) will be used during the resetting process.

1.    Download-> install-> run Windows Login Recovery on the accessible computer.

2.    Insert the blank CD/DVD or USB drive into it and make it into a password reset disk.

3.    Put the disk into the locked computer and that bring up a password reset wizard. Follow the clear graphical instruction then you can reset Windows password successfully.

There are some other ways, too. But I'm sure the method I introduced above is the most useful one to remove Dell Windows vista password.

Dell Windows Vista Laptop
As of April 11, 2017, Windows Vista customers are no longer receiving new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft. This article will no longer be updated and remains for information only. Please visit the Microsoft site for the full end of support statement.

This article describes how to optimize Windows Vista performance, as well as perform routine maintenance and avoid program conflicts.

Optimizing Windows Vista

The Dell Recommended link above automatically checks your system to improve overall performance.For detailed information on improving performance in Windows Vista, view the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

"Ways to improve your computer's performance"

Basic Maintenance of Windows Vista

There are a few key housekeeping tasks that should be routinely performed on a computer to keep it running smoothly.

Run Windows Update

Make sure that all key operating system updates are installed. Visit Microsoft KB article "Install Windows updates" to learn more.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Files on your hard drive can sometimes become spread out, or fragmented, across different sectors of the drive. Defragmenting the hard drive aligns the pieces of those files in one sector, which increases the efficiency of the operating system to open the files. To learn more, see Microsoft KB article:

"Improve performance by defragmenting your hard disk"

Run CHKDSK to look for bad sectors on the hard disk

  1. Click Start and then click Computer.
     
  2. Right-click the hard drive you want to scan, and then click Properties.
     
  3. In the Local Drive Properties window, click the Tools tab, then click Check Now.
     
  4. In the User Account Control window, click Continue.
     
  5. In the Check Disk window, click to select the boxes next to:
    • Automatically fix file system errors
    • Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors
       
  6. Click the Start button. This process can take up to several hours, depending on the size of the drive.

    You may be prompted to perform the scan next time you reboot the computer. If so, click Schedule Disk Check, and restart the computer.

Update the Drivers on the Computer

Old drivers may cause certain applications to not run correctly, or may have bugs that have been fixed in later releases. Drivers should be checked for updates at least twice a year. Click the button below to visit the Dell Drviers and Downloads website to update your drivers!

Get the Latest Drivers for Your Dell Computer!

Using Multiple Antivirus Programs in Windows Vista

The use of multiple anti-virus programs may cause your system to lock up. Anti-virus programs come pre-installed on most Dell Computers, so customers sometimes install other anti-virus programs without realizing that there is already a system installed. If you decide to install an alternate anti-virus software, it is important that you first uninstall any other anti-virus programs that may be running on your computer.

Choose only one anti-virus program and reinstall it. It is not recommended to have more than one anti-virus software package installed on your computer.

Internet Explorer Maintenance

Internet Explorer stores your history, website cookies, and passwords, as well as your Favorites. If you are experiencing problems with Internet Explorer, use the Microsoft Internet Explorer Solution Center to clean up your web browser and get the most out of your browsing experience.

Keeping Your Windows Vista Computer Secure

Along with regular maintenance, make sure that Internet Security Software is installed on your computer and is kept up to date.

If you do not have or do not wish to purchase any Internet security software, Microsoft has created free security software built specifically for your operating system. Visit Microsoft Security Essentials to preview, download and get support.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

In many cases a computer will not attempt to hand off control to the operating system. If you power the computer on and you see a Dell logo screen with a bar at the bottom, and that bar fills up completely and disappears, then your computer has successfully completed POST.

Click Here if Your Computer Does Not Complete POST

Step 2: Unplug All External Devices

A piece of hardware may be interfering with the normal boot process of Windows. Try unplugging all devices from your computer, including:

  • Printers
  • Scanners
  • Media Card Readers
  • Small Media cradles (iPod, PDA, MP3 player, etc.)
  • Digital Cameras and Video Recorders
  • USB storage devices
  • CDs or DVDs from all optical drives

The only devices you should leave attached to your computer are your monitor, mouse and keyboard, if the computer is a desktop.

Step 3: Check for Specific Error Messages

Dell has information on some specific error messages at startup. Refer to the following links for more information
 

If the error message is not listed above, try searching for additional solutions on the Web.Click on your preferred search engine below, then describe your problem, including any specific error messages.

Search Dell   Search Microsoft   Search Google   Search Bing  

Dell Windows Vista Laptop

Step 4: Run a Computer Diagnostic

To run PSA Diagnostics, turn on the computer and tap the F12 key several times at the Dell logo screen. This will start the One-Time Boot Menu. Select Diagnostics to start the diagnostic assessment of the computer hardware.This test takes approximately 5 minutes.If you receive an error from the PSA diagnostics, refer to the Dell Hardware Diagnostics page for further assistance:

Click Here to Troubleshoot Diagnostic Errors

  1. Start the computer.
  2. Tap the F8 key on the keyboard immediately after the Dell logo screen disappears until you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu on the screen.
    (If the Windows Advanced Options Menu does not appear, restart the system and try again.)
  3. Select Safe mode and press Enter.
  4. Log on as the administrator or as a user with administrative access.

Click here if your computer does not boot to Safe Mode. 

Step 6: Check for Recent Changes

If you are able to successfully boot to Safe Mode, check your computer to see if any new software or hardware was recently installed. If so, try uninstalling those programs or hardware from your computer.

Step 7: Use Startup Repair to Restore Critical Windows Files

Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
To learn more about using Startup Repair to restore critical Windows files, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, "Startup Repair Process for Microsoft Windows Vista/7/2008 Server Family"

Step 8: Use System Restore to Revert to a Previous State

Note: If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, restart the computer and try again.

Note: Attempt to restore from the most recent restore point. If this fails to correct the problem, try the next most recent restore point until you find a restore point that resolves the issue. You will need to reinstall any software installed after the selected restore point.

  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Tap the F8 key during startup (after the Dell logo screen disappears) until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
  3. Press Down Arrow until Repair Your Computer is highlighted, and then press Enter.
  4. In the System Recovery Options window, click to select your language, and then click Next.
  5. Log in as a user with administrative rights, and click OK.
  6. From the Choose a recovery tool menu, click System Restore.
  7. In the System Restore window, click Next.
  8. Click the Show restore points older than 5 days checkbox for a complete listing of restore points.
  9. Click to select a restore point.
  10. Click Next and then click Finish.
  11. Click Yes in the confirmation window.
  12. Click Restart after system restore successfully completes.
  13. If you encounter any error messages during the restore process, follow the on-screen instructions to correct the error.

Step 9: Use Clean-Boot Troubleshooting to Isolate the Software Issue

A program or application may be interfering with the normal boot process of Windows. Microsoft has created a detailed process for isolating a startup program that is causing Windows to not boot correctly. Click the link below to being the troubleshooting process:
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Step 10: Restore the Operating System to Factory Settings

If clean boot troubleshooting cannot identify the issue, it may be necessary to restore your computer to factory settings. To restore your computer's operating system and software to the original factory settings, launch the link below:
Launch the Microsoft Windows Reinstallation Guide

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